Fire, Emergency Services & Safety

A minimum fee and/or costs incurred by the County or Fire Departments may be charged to the landowner if the Fire Department or County is called upon to respond or extinguish a fire. Additional charges may be pending under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and/or County Fee Schedule Bylaw.

See the County of St. Paul Fee Schedule for information.

Usually there is no cost as we cannot show how a fire in the ditch was started.

Fire permits are required on a year-round basis for all types of open burning.

Open burning includes the burning of brush piles or garbage in barrels, open pits, etc. – where smoke is released into the open air.

There is no fee for a burn permit.

Applications for a fire permit can be made online.

Fire permits are valid for 14 days from the issue date. Plan accordingly, as permits may take up to two business days for approval.

A fire ban suspends or cancels any Fire Permits. Also not allowed are
- wood campfires on private land and provincial campgrounds
- backyard firepits
- barbeques using charcoal briquettes
- fireworks

What is allowed during a Fire Ban
- Portable propane fire pits contained within designated fire pits and gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating

For a fire restriction and fire ban, while all burn permits are cancelled and no new ones are issued, wood campfires are still permitted in a fire restriction. Our Fire Advisory System Policy provides more details.

Contact the Fire Chief for your area at the Ashmont, Mallaig, Elk Point or St. Paul Fire Departments.

At this time, please direct all bylaw inquiries to:

CAO, Jason Wallsmith: 780-646-6742

Director of Community Services, Jason Storch: 780-646-6768

Fireworks are allowed within the County. However, under Bylaw 2021-12 Fire Protection Services, no person shall discharge fireworks on any County-owned or managed lands without prior approval from Council.

Written permission of a Forest Officer is required during a Fire Advisory and Fire Restriction.

Fireworks are not allowed during a Fire Ban.

For non-emergencies (e.g. follow-up on existing file, to speak to a specific member, general inquiries), contact:

St. Paul RCMP Office: 780-645-8870
Saddle Lake RCMP Office: 780-726-3201
Elk Point RCMP Office: 780-724-3964.
For emergencies, call 9-1-1.